On Sun, 9 Feb 1997, Douglas DeGidio wrote:
I was just wondering what the real connotations on the suffixs -chan
and -kun are? I know that theydon't denote boy or girl but I can't
figure out what they do denote.
My information isn't quite as detailed as some of the replies that have
been given . . . but here's what I know:
Both -kun and -chan are used to denote some degree of familiarity. In all
cases, -kun is less familiar, -chan is more familiar.
-chan *also* seems to operate as a diminutive, much of the time.
(If I remember right, the Viz translation of Akane's explanation for the
name 'P-chan' for Ryouga's cursed form is: "P for pig, and -chan because
he's cute.")
Oh, and one final note: -kun is more frequently used when
addressing a male (e.g. Tendou-kun, Saotome-kun; Ranma-kun, Ryouga-kun).
-chan is used more frequently when addressing females (e.g. Akane-chan,
oneechan, etc.) This isn't a hard and fast rule, but -chan is *only* used
to denote a fairly high degree of familiarity. (e.g. Sasami addressing
Tenchi as 'Tenchi-niichan,' or "big brother Tenchi")
Hope this helps some.
Tim Miller
trmiller@mail.bcpl.lib.md.us
(P.S. - It may be worth noting that in BGC, -chan is almost *NEVER* used;
most of the characters are adults, in non-intimate relationships. The only
time I can think of when -chan is actually used is in Crash 1, with
Priss's manager - the subtitles translate 'Priss-chan' the first time as
"Priss, babe!" and leave -chan untranslated the rest of the time. It's
also evident that either there's been a 'relationship' between Priss and
her manager, or he *veeeeeery* much wants there to be. . . . )